NPD's report on the category also said more than half of all purchases of specialty kitchen electrics were for the shoppers' own use. Thirteen percent of these sales were holiday purchases, and 19 percent of the sales in dollars came from online purchases, NPD added.

"Specialty items have become commonplace in recent years," said Debra Mednick, the research firm's director of home business. "When it comes to small kitchen appliances, specialty products offer consumers fun gift options, but also ways to enjoy something unique and special in their own homes."